Scuba diving is regarded by some as an extreme sport and by others as an adventure sport. Those who do it probably just think of it as a hobby. It is completely safe, as long as those taking part follow a few simple scuba diving rules. Holding your breath is a big no-no, as this could cause a lung expansion injury. Touching the reef or any animals is also forbidden, both for the divers’ sake and that of whatever they touch. Diving alone and getting too low on air before deciding to end the dive are also against PADI diving rules. However, one possible danger which many people have difficulty understanding, even after having it explained to them, is the need for a safety stop, in order to avoid the serious diving-related health problem known as decompression sickness (DSC / The Bends).
